Telangana and Maharashtra Leaders Discuss Tummidihatti Barrage Height Increase

On October 26, a delegation from Telangana, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Sahyadri State Guest House in Mumbai. The primary agenda was to discuss a proposal to raise the height of the Tummidihatti Barrage, located on the Pranahita River at the border of the two states, from 148 meters to 152 meters.

The meeting included Telangana's Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior officials from both states. Minister Reddy initiated the discussions by presenting the historical and socio-economic context of the Adilabad district, which has faced prolonged economic challenges. He highlighted the need for improved irrigation to meet current demands, arguing that the existing height set in a 2016 agreement was insufficient. Reddy emphasized the importance of maximizing water conveyance efficiency in light of modern environmental and energy challenges.

During the discussions, Reddy outlined the benefits of raising the barrage height, describing it as a critical solution to the region's water scarcity. He also assured that Telangana would compensate Maharashtra farmers for any agricultural land that might be submerged due to the height increase, adhering to Maharashtra's compensation policies. Chief Minister Reddy underscored the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties between the two states, particularly in the context of the tribal communities in the Adilabad region.

In response, CM Fadnavis expressed a willingness to reconsider the proposed height increase but stressed the necessity of thorough technical, environmental, and administrative evaluations before making any commitments. He acknowledged the developmental needs of the region while ensuring that Maharashtra's interests would not be compromised. Fadnavis proposed the formation of a joint committee comprising principal secretaries from both states' irrigation departments to assess the barrage's implications comprehensively.

Both leaders reiterated their commitment to fostering development in economically backward regions, particularly for tribal communities. The Central Water Commission will continue its technical studies, and officials from both states will collaborate to create a timeline for further discussions. Additionally, CM Reddy extended an invitation to CM Fadnavis for the upcoming Invest Telangana Global Summit scheduled for December 7-9 in Hyderabad, to which Fadnavis responded positively, expressing interest in attending.